INRD completes upgrades, increases speed in Bloomington, Ind.

Indiana University students and Bloomington commuters will notice increased trains speeds beginning Monday, Oct. 15 on the Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) rail line that cuts through the IU campus and the balance of the city.

In the wake of a multi-million dollar investment and upgrade of the railroad right-of-way through Bloomington, including new rail, crossties and drainage improvements, INRD will increase the speed limit to 25 mph from the 10 mph limit that has been in place for many years.

"Since the Indiana Rail Road was founded in 1986, we have invested nearly $150 million of our own private capital to create a state-of-the-art, heavy-haul infrastructure, and our improvements in Bloomington represent an important step forward in terms of moving freight more efficiently," said Tom Hoback, INRD founder, president and chief executive officer.

The most notable benefit for Bloomington residents and IU students will be the greatly reduced amount of time required for trains to pass the at-grade vehicle and pedestrian crossings in town. It takes a mile-long train six minutes to pass a grade crossing when running at 10 mph. At 25 mph, a train of the same length will pass in just more than two minutes.

INRD has also posted dozens of "No Trespassing" signs along the right-of-way, a reminder that the rail line is private property and not to be used as a public thoroughfare.

"All we ask of students and local residents is to look both ways before crossing the tracks, do not trespass on or alongside the railroad as it is private property, and never, ever try to beat a train to a crossing," said Hoback. "It's never worth the risk, and more efficient movement of trains through Bloomington will help everyone continue on their way – safely."